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Hopelessly devoted to Frilly Lingerie

Melbourne-based label Hopeless lingerie is exactly that, with a vintage-style glamour and luxurious designs that will make anyone feel like the Hollywood sirens who inspire the collection.

The Hopeless label is only two years old but designer Gabrielle Adamidis already features two collections with plans to add a third later this year.

The “Posie Pepper” collection draws inspiration from the singing garden sequence in Alice in Wonderland featuring pieces with cheeky ruffles, playful frills and bows in colours that evoke the fantasy garden scene. The collection is flirty and feminine in luxurious fabric blends. Favourites include the frivolous “Lily Garter” inspired by the shape of the flowers in the garden, and the delightfully flirty “Pansy Knickers” featuring a pretty-pink ruffle.

The flirty “Posie Pepper” collection is contrasted by Hopeless’ “The Jewel Thief” range, which is inspired by the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s and offers a more sophisticated glamour. Every woman can channel her inner Holy Golightly in the black-and-white silky collection that captures the elegance of the film. The high-cut “Yunioshi Knickers” are vintage-inspired with frills to thrill, and the bikini-style “Fred Bra” really is too lovely to hide.

“It is really more than anything about giving women an escape – the chance to wear something that feels luxurious, and for no other reason than it makes them feel special,” says Adamidis.

“I had a very clear vision of what I wanted the brand to be about. I love vintage fashion, costume, theatre and film and I really want my pieces to evoke these feelings.”

What makes Hopeless stand out is the strong style of the designs. The brand does not mimic the costumes of the films it reflects, but instead captures their essential style. Adamidis examines the details and shapes of the architecture, props, or anything that creates a striking line of shape in the film.

Her new range, to be released later this year, is based on the film Jaws and will feature not only nautical influences but will also be inspired by the shape of the shark’s teeth and mouth; the boats, the ropes, and the rigging.

Hopeless has been sold online for over a year, and the Melbourne-based brand has been successful enough to keep its designer very busy. Adamidis has big dreams for the brand, hoping one day to expand into bed linen and swimwear and to open boutiques in Melbourne, Paris and New York.

For now, the brand is truly home-grown, as Adamidis is passionate about supporting Australian business and sustainable fashion. She creates her designs using Australian-made materials and is committed to keeping production in-house.

Adamidis works to rebel against the idea of “disposable fashion” – trends and styles which are only fashionable for a season – and seeks to create her garments with longevity and quality in mind.

Hopeless lingerie is designed to be kept and treasured for years. And with such elegant and luxurious pieces, how could you not?